hardMultiple Select
CISA Practice Question: Which TWO of the following are BEST indicators…
Which TWO of the following are BEST indicators that a system development project is at risk of failure?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse project risk indicators with project success factors, mistakenly selecting positive attributes like clear communication or high morale as signs of risk, when the question asks for indicators of failure.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Frequent scope changes
Frequent scope changes (A) are a classic early warning sign of project failure because uncontrolled scope creep invalidates baselines, disrupts design and testing, and causes cost and schedule overruns. An unrealistic schedule (D) is also a strong risk indicator, since compressing effort below what the work actually requires forces shortcuts in analysis, coding, and testing, leading to defects and missed milestones. In contrast, clear communication (B), robust testing (C), and high team morale (E) are all positive project health indicators that reduce risk rather than signal failure.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Frequent scope changes
Why this is correct
Frequent scope changes signal unstable requirements and weak change control, eroding baseline estimates and rework capacity. This is a recognised early warning that the project is drifting from its approved objectives, making failure more likely as effort compounds.
- ✗
Clear communication
Why it's wrong here
Clear communication is a success factor that mitigates project risk, so it does not indicate impending failure. It is tempting because communication is repeatedly cited in project management guidance as critical. The question asks for failure indicators, such as unclear requirements, frequent scope changes or unresolved stakeholder conflicts, which are the inverse of clear communication.
- ✗
Robust testing
Why it's wrong here
Robust testing is a positive control that reduces delivery risk, not an indicator of failure, so it cannot signal an at-risk project. It is tempting because testing is genuinely central to project quality assurance. The question seeks warning signs such as scope creep, unrealistic schedules or unmanaged dependencies, where testing rigour is absent rather than present.
- ✓
Unrealistic schedule
Why this is correct
An unrealistic schedule compresses effort beyond what the work requires, forcing shortcuts in testing and quality assurance. It is a reliable failure indicator because the plan cannot be met without sacrificing scope or quality, and slippage cascades.
- ✗
High team morale
Why it's wrong here
High team morale is a healthy project attribute and evidence against failure risk, not a warning sign. It is tempting because morale is widely discussed in project literature as influencing outcomes. The question requires indicators such as staff turnover, missed milestones or escalating defects; sustained high morale contradicts those failure signals.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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